Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes, with application to many human concerns. Students with a liberal arts education should develop an understanding of themselves and others that allows them to function effectively in diverse situations, interpersonally and intellectually. The Psychology Department offers a strong curriculum aimed at providing its students with a comprehensive base from a variety of perspectives. Emphasis is placed on critical reading and thinking, understanding of the theoretical framework of psychology, and the methodology used in research. Students majoring in psychology are afforded an opportunity to be involved in research as well as to participate in local educational and mental health agencies. Many psychology majors continue their education in graduate school and the department strives to prepare them toward that goal. Should a student choose not to attend graduate school, the study of psychology can complement other fields of study. The department sponsors two student organizations, Psi Chi which is the Psychology national honorary society and Psi Alpha Omega which is open to all students taking Psychology who have an interest in the discipline.

Minor

Eighteen semester hours including PSY 111.

Note: Students with teaching major or minor should consult with the department chair.

Course Offerings

111. General Psychology. (3 hours) Introduction to psychology as a science, using the scientific approach to study many areas of behavior such as motivation, emotion, perception, thinking, and learning. Fall and Spring

211. Statistics for the Social Sciences. (3 hours) Study of both descriptive and inferential statistics with emphasis on its use in psychological research. Prerequisite: PSY 111.Fall and Spring

242. Adolescence and Adulthood. (3 hours) This course is designed as an overview of adolescent and adult development. Readings and class materials cover issues from adolescence through adulthood, examining research in physical, perceptual, cognitive, personality, and social development. A particular emphasis of this course is an integration of biological, psychological, social, and ecological contributions to human development. Fall and Spring

260. Social Psychology. (3 hours) Study of how the thought, feeling, and behavior of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. Relevant topics include the self, conformity, obedience, gender, attitudes, prejudice, liking & love, aggression, helping, and group behavior. Fall and Spring

328. Learning. (3 hours) This course is an introductory level survey of the major classic and contemporary psychological theories and research in learning. Learning will be examined from biological, psychological and sociocultural perspectives. Prerequisite: PSY 111.Fall

337. Psychology of Women (3 hours) This course will provide an overview of classical and contemporary psychological research pertaining to women. It will explore biological and cultural similarities and differences within topics such as behavior, language, emotion, motivation, mental health, and development. The course will include a special focus on women of different ethnic backgrounds. Prerequisite: PSY 111. Even Springs

340. Child Development. (3 hours) An overview of growth and development from conception through middle childhood including ten total hours of observation (i.e., one hour per week) in an early childhood center. Prerequisite: PSY 111. Fall

343. Personality. (3 hours) This course is an introductory level survey of the major classic and contemporary psychological theories and research in personality. We will cover major theories including psychoanalysis, humanistic, cognitive, social learning, and biological perspectives. Various traits and their importance in predicting health, achievement, and adjustment will also be covered. Prerequisite: PSY 111. Spring

350. Relationships. (3 hours) This course is an introductory level survey of the major classic and contemporary psychological theories and research in relationships. Relevant topics include attraction, dating, friendship, love, passion, commitment, marriage, jealousy, conflict, and divorce. Prerequisite: PSY 111 or 260. Spring

380. Psychology and the Law. (3 hours) The systematic study of the application of psychological methods and principles to the legal system. Topics to be covered include eyewitness testimony, confessions, the insanity defense, polygraphs, jury selection, profiling, serial killers, and victims. Prerequisite: PSY 111 or 260. Fall

409. Comparative Psychology. (3 hours) Many of the bases for understanding human behavior have come from animal models. This course will provide an overview of the different aspects of behavior, including the function of the behavior, the development of the behavior, how the behavior evolved, and the proximal cause of the behavior. A major emphasis will be on the sociobiological model. Applied animal behavior material will also be examined. Even Springs

411. Senior Capstone in Psychology. (3 hours) This course is designed to guide Senior Psychology majors as they examine enduring issues in Psychology from the earliest beginnings in the history of psychology to contemporary research and application. Class readings, assignments and discussions will synthesize material from previous psychology coursework and facilitate the development of each student’s conceptual framework to guide his/her career or graduate school decision making. The class will culminate in the application of the theoretical principles and empirical research findings to a Senior poster project which must be orally defended before departmental faculty. Prerequisite: Senior standing, major in department. Fall

415. Counseling Skills. (3 hours) Study of current approaches used in counseling and psychotherapy. Topics covered include basic counseling and psychotherapy skills, various theoretical models of psychological intervention, and a review of the most current, empirically supported treatment approaches. Emphasis will be placed on ethical standards as they apply to psychotherapy. Prerequisite: PSY 355. Even Springs

417. Developmental Psychopathology. (3 hours) This course is an examination of the most recent literature devoted to research in disorders of childhood. This class is designed as a seminar examining diagnostic categories and critical issues of child psychopathology and identifying empirically effective interventions. Readings and class materials cover diagnostic categories, causal theories of childhood disorders and a survey of the intervention literature. Prerequisite: PSY 242 or 340. Odd Springs

419. School Psychology. (3 hours) This course is designed to introduce students to the field of School Psychology from its influential place in the history of psychology to contemporary “best practices”. Readings and assignments will direct the student to examine the roles school psychologists play in the school system as a whole, including: individual assessment and intervention with young children; individual, class-wide and system-wide consultation for learning and behavioral issues; and program development in the areas of crisis prevention and intervention. Prerequisite: PSY 242 or 340. Even Springs

425. Brain and Behavior. (3 hours) The study of the interaction of the brain and behavior from physiological, genetic and evolutionary perspectives. The course will include current research and examine the disease/disorder continuum as well as effects of psychotropic substances on behavior. Prerequisite: PSY 111 and BIO 100 or BIO 111. Spring

460. Undergraduate Research. (3 hours) Implementation of psychological research processes using topics chosen by individuals or small groups of students. Tutorial teaching will replace classroom teaching for most of the semester. Research methods will involve computer and/or paper and pencil techniques. Prerequisite: PSY 311 and consent of instructor. As needed in Spring

470. Special Topics in Psychology. (3 hours) The study of special areas of psychology deemed of value to Psychology majors and minors. As Needed